Not that he’d planned what he wanted to say. At least not about his feelings. But he did need to warn her about the countess and what he intended to do about her. If he could protect Minnie from this threat, he felt confident, they could proceed with a real courtship. While he struggled to share his feelings, he was sure over time, Minnie would help him. He might not be able to say the words, but he knew how he felt. No woman had ever made him feel the way she did. Not only that, she was honest and forthright, two characteristics sure to help him open up in time.
He stopped pacing as a rustling noise caught his ear. Cocking his head to one side, he peered into the darkness. A soft shape emerged, easing some of the tension that had coiled within his stomach. As the specter moved closer, he caught the distinct flash of bright red hair. “Minnie.”
“It’s me,” she answered.
“You came.”
She stepped in front of him, the pale moonlight illuminating her face in a soft glow. She appeared almost other-worldly with her ivory skin bathed in the crisp light. “I came.”
He took her hand and began pulling her toward his carriage. “Come on,” he reached back to wrap his other arm about her waist. “It’s frigid out here.”
“Where exactly are we going?” she asked as she pressed into his side.
“Just to my carriage.” He couldn’t help himself, he leaned down to drop his nose into her hair. One of her hands touched his stomach and that’s when he realized, she wore no gloves. Looking at her delicate fingers grazing his waist coat made him tighten as desire sizzled through his belly, settling in his groin.
“Just out of curiosity, where is your carriage going once we are inside?” Her cheek brushed his shoulder.
“Nowhere,” he answered, snapping open the door. “Where would we go?”
“I don’t know but Emily has disappeared. It seems a question a girl should ask.” She gathered her skirts and stepped inside.
Jack and Emily. He hoped they were happy. When Jack had first left, Tag couldn’t imagine why. But now, Tag had a better understanding of how life could get in the way of your heart. “You have my word that I’ll not ride off to Scotland with you.”
“Oh good,” she said from the interior as he climbed inside. “I don’t think my family could tolerate a second missing woman.”
“They’ll return soon. I’m sure of it.” He reached for her hand as he settled next to her. “If they don’t, I’ll go find them for you. That is one problem even I can solve and I’m trying to fix the debacle with the countess.”
“What do you mean, even you can solve?” she reached for his cheek then, her bare skin resting against his. He pressed into the touch.
“I have to confess. When I was injured, I enjoyed the way you cared for me. My mother was not very maternal. When I was eight, I broke my arm. Do you know what she said to me? ‘Don’t die. I can’t possibly make another heir with your father.’” He swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth.
“Oh Tag,” she murmured. “My mother is often difficult but she loves me. How dreadful for you.” Then she leaned over and pressed a kiss to his other cheek. He wrapped his arm tighter about her.
“Try to understand, Minnie, no one ever taught me how to show affection. I’m… I’m working on it.”
She kissed his cheek again, slower and with more pressure. “I don’t know how I could ask for more.”
He gave a small grin relaxing into their embrace. “I meant what I said. I need time to learn and I’m going to be the best pupil I can be. I’ve got a plan to ensure that the countess doesn’t hurt you. I’m late, I know.”
“Late?” she asked, pulling away.
He reached for a blanket on his other side, shook it out, then wrapped it about her shoulders. “You shouldn’t have had to defend me the other night. I should have taken care of you.”
She quirked a brow. “I think you know I’m not a damsel in distress.”
“I do know that. I…” He’d been about to say, I love that about you, but the words stuck in his throat.
“What are you going to do about the countess?” She settled against him again and without thought, he pulled her into his lap. As her soft backside settled against his legs, his need for her intensified.
“Let’s just say, she had a string of lovers and some of them owe rather substantial debts to my club.”
She gasped softly, her fingers resting against his neck. “You’re using her methods against her.”
“I’ve left her be for seven years. But she went too far when she threatened you.”
“Oh Tag,” Minnie murmured and then her lips pressed to his.
Heat and a warmth that wasn’t precisely desire coursed through his veins as she leaned against his arm so that he supported her weight. “You’ve helped me, Minnie. More than anyone for a long time.” He cupped her cheek before sliding his hand down her neck to skim along the neckline of her dress. “That means so much to me.”